Area Resident Got His Dream To 'Come On Down' For His 40th Birthday

On the top of Eric Long’s “Bucket List” was appearing on the television game show ”The Price is Right.”

Knowing that, his wife, Becky, planned a trip with four friends to Los Angeles in July for his 40th birthday.

Getting the tickets to the show is an easy online process, she said, but being chosen to “come on down” to contestants’ row is the true challenge.

“It is actually an audition process,“ Becky said. “This trip was our third attempt to get on the show in the last 15 years. Third time is the charm!”

The Fair Oaks man and his entourage arrived at the CBS studio just after sunrise on July 21 -- well-prepared with priority tickets in hand and sporting electric-green shirts emblazoned with Eric’s face superimposed on the “Yodely Guy’s” body.

After waiting in the growing line and chatting with other hopefuls outside the studio gates, their identities were verified, contestant numbers assigned, legal paperwork completed and souvenir photos taken.

Next came a two-hour wait in a second staging area getting to know the other contestants and “working the crowd.” Eric and Becky went to the front of the line with markers and asked other contestants to sign his shirt in honor of his 40th birthday.

“The Price Is Right” pages then arrived and escorted groups of 10 or so to a small area where each contestant is given a 15- to 30-second audition -- a chance to wow producers and casting staff.

Then, it was on to waiting area No. 3 for lunch and viewing of previous episodes and video clips of how to be a great contestant.

The Long group continued to whoop it up with other contestants, cheering, starting the wave, and being generally nutty until they were finally escorted into the studio, Becky said.

“All of our efforts and silly antics really paid off,“ she said, “when my husband was able to live his life long dream of hearing, ‘Eric Long, COME ON DOWN!’“

The Longs are not allowed to discuss the outcome of the show until after it airs -- Friday, December 26.

“Waiting 22 weeks since taping has been tough, especially for Eric who wants nothing more than to see the episode on TV,” she said.

“That being said, we have also really enjoyed tormenting our friends and family who desperately want to know if Eric won anything and have made valiant efforts to break our vow of secrecy.”

Happy 40th, Eric!